Dementia screenings warning

The routine screening of all elderly patients for dementia would be a "disaster", an expert will warn. Speaking at the TEDMEDLive healthcare conference in Bristol today, Dr Chris Fox will say the risk of misdiagnosis is too high.

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The Department of Health has responded to warnings over routine dementia screenings.

It said there is "currently no benefit" in trying to diagnose people with dementia before they show symptoms of the condition.

Our preferred approach is for doctors to speak to patients that have symptoms such as memory loss, which could be caused by dementia. If dementia is suspected only then would further investigations take place. This approach is not the same as screening.

We do, nonetheless, encourage an early diagnosis and referral for those who show symptoms.